The Conclusion Of The Question Of Inheritance

"The land of a certain rich man produced well. Consequently he began to reason with himself, saying, "what shall I do, now that I have nowhere to gather my crops?" So he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my storehouses and build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and all my good things; and I will say to my soul: "Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself."' But God said to him, 'Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your soul from you. Who, then, is to have the things you store up?'"

In conclusion, Jesus observes: "So it goes with the man that lays up treasures for himself but is not rich toward God." While the disciples may not be ensnared by the folly of piling up wealth, because of the daily cares of life they could easily be distracted from whole-souled service to Jehovah. So Jesus uses the occasion to repeat the fine counsel he had given about a year and a half earlier in the Sermon on the Mount. Turning to his disciples, he says: 'On this account I say to you, Quit being anxious about your souls as to what you will eat or about your bodies as to what you will wear. . . . Mark well that the ravens neither sow seed nor reap, and they have neither barn or storehouse, and yet God feeds them. . . . Mark well how the lilies grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. . . .

"So quit seeking what you might eat and what you might drink, and quit being in anxious suspense; for all these are the things the nations of the world are eagerly pursuing, but your Father knows you need these things. Nevertheless, seek continually his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."

Especially during times of economic hardship do Jesus' words bear close consideration. The person who becomes overanxious about his material needs begins to slack off in spiritual pursuits is, in fact, demonstrating a lack of faith in God's ability to provide for His servants. Luke 12:1-31; Deuteronomy 21:17.

Next time: Keep Ready!

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,